My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to

is

‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for

to the side. “Today

be a little

sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

close her

blow out

indicate to Julian that there was no need to

children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young

found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with pretty,

made a wish. After that, she blew

you!”

the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the

Rachel finally smiled for the first time

Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything

it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now.

regretting bringing up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting

and headed

apartment and about to close

the door was propped open by a large

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more

out on

he slid sideways into the house and shut

you’ve been getting along

she took two steps back. Why are you

resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw

he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t

step he approached her, forcing

idea what she

he caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged